Replying to (Midwest) Sponsorships

So my friend and I (mostly my friend) are wanting and looking to get sponsored. We don't have any shops near us and there isn't many comps near us either (we went to 2 this year 1 being 5 hours away). So we were wondering how all you got hooked up? Were you approached, or did you send in vids and/or pics and how do you go about sending in vids? Do you just e-mail the company or shop. Also we are aware that we're probably not going to get hooked up this year and we do ski to have fun, we're just "poor". haha thanks midwest! :)